The American Red Cross, in partnership with Nexcare Bandages and supermodel Niki Taylor, will celebrate World Blood Donor Day Saturday with the sixth annual Nexcare give program. The Red Cross encourages all eligible blood donors to give, especially those with types O negative, B negative and A negative, to help maintain the summer blood supply and prevent a shortage.

The goal of the give program is to inspire people to donate this summer and all year long by raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood. Nexcare created a collection of limited-edition bandages surrounding this year’s theme, “The Art of Giving,” to remind donors of the importance of blood donation. The bandages focus on the word “give” and are inspired by five artistic movement styles: impressionism, abstract art, contemporary art, pop art and street art. The limited-edition bandages will be available to presenting blood and platelet donors at Red Cross blood drives today through Saturday.

“Many people say they never fully understood the importance of donating blood until they or someone they love needed it,” Jerry J.K. Tillery, CEO of the Red Cross Alabama & Central Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico and Southern Blood Services regions said in a statement. “Donors are needed every single day to ensure an adequate blood supply is available for patients now and throughout the year.”

Red Cross spokesperson and mother of four Niki Taylor understands the need for blood all too well. In 2001, she almost died after a serious car accident. During her recovery, Taylor received about 100 units of lifesaving blood. To this day, she attributes her survival to the donors and doctors who helped save her life.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

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